Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-05-01
nnwlO renlied the planter.

getun said the ranger, as he hastened 10 |
pick out his guard and arrange for the |
continuance of the chase.
These matters were soon attended to,
and with thirty picked men, who laid
aside every article, even to their plan.
kets, which might add to the burden OF
their horses, retaining only their arms,
he mounted, and took Lagona's
now we'll known and clearly defined
trail. Before he left, however,
he charged the lieutenant, whom
he left in command of the guard to shoot
the prisoners like so many dogs II they
attempted to escape. "And," said ne,
"don't miss that hang-dog looking VII
lain, their leader. l want his SKIN 10
make saddle cover Ot!"-
"Mine's no more dog skin than your
own. old rum-headI" shouted Malerson,
turning almost black with anger.
The ranger smiled grimly, and, driving
his spurs into his horses TANKS, rode on
at the head OF his little column st full
speed.
CHAPTER XXXvIII.
A magnificent scene! The sun was
lust gliding the great black and gray
cliffs of the Sierras Charrate, upon
which, like dwarfy sentinels, stood few
gnarled and curiously shaped trees. And
down through narrow gorge-deep,d dark
and terrible in its very wildness, rushed
stream of foaming, flashing. roaring
water. And into this cavernous gorge,
on path so narrow that there was only
delicate and scarce tenable footing for
single horse at time, led the trail OF
Lagona.
In front of this the bold ranger halted,
for though all was still and dark beyond,
he had too often met the wiley red man
not to know that there was danger IN
such silence.
"He has chosen safe hiding place,
and that is the worst pass in the whole
range!" muttered Mccullough to Paul
and DelOrme, as he halted at the head OF
his men before the gorge.
"Have you entered it before?" asked
Delorme.
"Yes-once, after we had lost nearly
half our men; and then it was defended
bv only four warriors. We charged on
foot. It was terrible; we lost twenty
men-good and true Ones-for four pal
try redskfn scalps. Once within the
mountains, there is the prettiest spot OF
valley land that you ever laid eyes on
10 900 head of horses could pasture there;
and it is likely that Lagona's main camp
is in there, since he has steered so direct
for the pass!"
"Most likely it is guarded"
"WithOut a doubt it is" said the ran
ger. "Probably 1t is never left without
a sentinel; but our first warning, II we
advance, will be our faces full Of ar
rows"
"Iet me be the first to lead the way!''
said Paul, eagerly.
"And the first to fall when you're en-
gagged to be married, and on the hunt
after your bride!" cried Major Ben. 81
reckon that isn't quite the game for you
But lend me your pocket handkerchief, II
| it's white, young man. pll try and see
i tkere is q chance for parley. Where
we cannot take we may buy-Where we
can't frighten we may bargain!"
The handkerchief was produced and,
afffXing it to q ramrOd, the MAJOR RODE
slowly forward. But he had not ridden
twenty psces before Lagona himself, with
a white Tag on lance, appeared, and 81
| his back as many armed WarrlOrsas could
| be packed along the narrow trail.
"The pale face has come far enough
what does he Want?' asked the proud
chief, in q naughty tone.
sThe pale-face planter is weeping foT
| his daughter, whom you have stolen
away! Lqgona is a great chief, mighty
brave. and should scOrn to be thief
said Mccullough, who knew well on Wha'
point to touch the proud nature of an lr
dian-how best, also. to datter him.
"Lagona is not thief" replied the
chief. sullenly. "The Great Spirit babe
him take the daughter of the pale-face, ano
he has done it. She shall be his wife
and the mother of great braves!"
! "Dog of an Indian, give her to me, OF
fight me here, single handed, till one OF
both die!" shouted Mr.. De'Orme.
"You are an old map-my ears are
closed to your words will not fight
you" said Lagona, quietly.
Flight me; am not old-fght me? you
red cowardi" shouted Paul.
"Boy, you ere fool! Go, and find an
ether squaw!" shouted Lagona.
eyes; for your Stella is appropriated! ~
cried Ada McAlpin, advancing to the side
of the Comanche chief.
offend! All of your band is captured
and shall hang!" cried Paul, furious with
anger.
$50 a son will hang his father2 Well
no better can be expected from perjureC
wretch like you!" cried Ada, scornfully
"What ransom will you take for your
captive2" asked Mccullough, cautionine
Paul and Mr.. Delorme not to interfere
further with his plans.
''Fill up this gorge with gold, and
will not give her up!" cried Lagonai
angriIy. "If you want her come and
take her. But you had better go back;
more than 5000 braves ask for your scalps
| do not wish blood to run; therefore
take friends warning and go back"
"Win you not attack US if we camp and
take night to think OF it?" asked the
cool and polite ranger.
"No; not without you attempt to pass
the gorge; if you do, your blood is ours
and not your own!" said the chief.
awe will camp and ask the Great Spirit
if we shall turn back or not" said Nc
Cullough.
at is WE'LL" said Lagona; and as he
| lowered his flag and waved his hands his
warriors fell back; and soon nothing but
black rocks, rugged trees and rushing
water, could be seen before the Rangers
| position.
Selecting q nook in the cliff near by,
where they could only be assailed from
one point, the Major, Ben Mccullough,
ordered his men to encamp.
"For Gods sake, why this delay. sir?"
asked Paul "Why do you not attack
| the Indians at onCe?"
"Young man, life IS worth something
to others, if it is valueless to you. l
nave never been noted for any very extra
care of my own; but when l lose it l
want an equivalent. Now, l consider
myself worth, at least, 100 of those red
devils. Tve laid out sixty or seventy at
odd spells, it is true-but if l tried to
take the remaining thirty or forty in this
pass I'd be very apt to lose my life before
I'd got six on my score. To attack them
In front won't nass; to take 'em in